The Drunkest (and Driest) Cities in America

The subject of two constitutional amendments and the pillar of a major U.S. industry, alcohol is inextricably tied to America’s political and commercial history.

On an individual level, alcohol is a social lubricant known for its euphoric effects. But when it is misused, it can take an enormous toll. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, excessive alcohol use cost the U.S. economy $249 billion in 2015 alone, primarily in lost workplace productivity and health care costs.

Excessive alcohol consumption patterns are not uniform across the nation, however, and residents of certain cities are much more likely to abuse alcohol than residents of others. 24/7 Wall St. reviewed excessive drinking rates in 381 metro areas to identify the drunkest and driest cities in the United States. Heavy drinking cities tend to have better educated, higher earning, and — counterintuitively — healthier populations than cities with the lowest excessive drinking rates.